Emergency aid to DACA students

CSUB student leadership donates $25,000

By California State University, Bakersfield

May 11^th, 2020

Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) at California State University, Bakersfield has donated $25,000 to students who were not eligible to receive support from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Using funds from the program and travel line items that were not used due to the pandemic, ASI decided to help students, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, international students and students without federal financial aid documents on file.

“A lot of our students and their families are struggling during these times and I believe that ASI’s allocation of the $25,000 is the best way we could provide an equitable service to help our students in need,” said ASI President Aaron Wan.

Following guidance from the governor’s office, the California State University system and local public health officials, CSUB moved to virtual instruction in March. Though students, faculty and staff have shown resilience and adaptability in the transition, the impacts of shelter-in-place orders have been challenging for many in the CSUB community. The donation will allow all students to share in the support they need.

The California State University system received more than $262 million to allocate to students under the CARES Act. Of that, $6.8 million will support CSUB students. Another $6.8 million will allow CSUB to cover the costs of the transition to alternative forms of instructional delivery and replace a portion of the revenue lost from student housing and parking refunds.

Full-time students enrolled in the spring 2020 semester as of May 4 are receiving emergency aid of $320, $800 or $1,100, depending on level of need. The grant is pro-rated for part-time students. The CARES Act provides strict guidance to colleges and universities on how to determine Title IV eligibility, including the level of student need, Pell Grant eligibility and other indicators.